Two diurnal hunters of the large bird species, seen in one month. First, I spotted the Cadillac Mountain snowy owl, and on Wednesday enjoyed a distant view of a northern hawk owl. I’ve been fortunate.

The accompanying photos of the hawk owl were taken at a great distance and quickly, but they clearly identify the critter … what a serious-looking face. I was only able to observe it for a few moments before it took flight. A grand bird indeed. A pleasure to see.

A hike on the Oak Point Trail at Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge revealed an abundance of club moss, one of my favorite types is the one pictured. It mimics a pine tree right down to the cone spores that top it.

Across the County Road, following Birch Stream, I found a flock of pine siskins feeding on cedar cones. There were 50 or more and every once in a while they flushed in a large wave, circled the area, then returned to feeding.

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On my way to meet a few Bangor Daily News friends for lunch outing at Geaghan’s I noticed that some mallards had taken up residency in the tanks at the Bangor Water Treatment Facility, a resilient lot, huh?

I never pass up an opportunity to picture red squirrels. Take about resilient survivors, these guys are it.

Thanks for listening, take care and enjoy the great Maine winter.

You can check out my other photos at http://photosbychance.zenfolio.com/